T SHIRT DRESS DIY
If a basic T shirt is a must have for any wardrobe, then a basic T shirt dress is a must have for Summer.
This simple DIY tutorial will show you how to turn a basic t shirt into a cute Summer dress.
VIEW DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS >
To see step by step instructions and photos click here.
What you’ll need to make your T Shirt Dress DIY:
- 1 T Shirt in your size (try to find one that’s a little long, I found mine at Old Navy)
- 1 T Shirt at least 2 sizes larger
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Pins
- Sewing machine
Step 1
Take your larger T shirt and lay it flat on a table, measure how long you want your skirt to be, mark it and cut your shirt straight across.
Since the T shirt that I used for the body of my dress was a bit long I only needed to make my skirt 9 inches and I was able to cut a 2nd strip the same length to add more gathers to the skirt.
Step 2
Cut open the side seams on both strips that you will be using for your skirt.
Step 3
Pin and sew a hem in your 2nd strip of fabric that you will be using for your skirt, use the existing hem for as much of your skirt as you can.
Sew your strips together.
Step 4
Sew 2 parallel stitch lines along the cut edge of your skirt. Use a big stitch so they will be easy to gather.
Pull the bobbin threads and gather your skirt.
Step 5
Lay out your top T shirt flat on a table and place your skirt (inside out and upside down) on top. Very carefully adjust your gathers so they are even all the way around and pin.
Sew your skirt to your T shirt. I recommend using a stretch stitch on your machine if you have one, otherwise use a very small stitch.
As the weather heats up it’s so nice to just throw on a comfortable dress, some cute shoes, your favorite jewelry and you’re out the door. One of the best things about wearing a dress is how effortlessly they can make you look pulled together, even on a hot day. This is such a simple DIY project, but you still have a lot of room to get creative.
Tell me how yours turn out, I love hearing from you.
haaa!! nice!!
This is so cute.Thank-you for the tutorial. I think I may have a project tomorrow that trumps chores.Again thank-you very much.It really is adorable,comfortable I could go on and on but you get my point.Thank-you.Becky
This is seriously cute! I am off to go and find some t-shirts right now and get sewing! Absolutely love this dress and it definitely beats any plans I had for today.
Is body of the dress the larger size tee shirt? Wouldn’t it need to be altered for a better fit?
Hi Janet,
The body of the dress is the smaller tee, the one that fits you. You use the larger tee for the skirt that way you have more fabric to gather giving you a more ruffled skirt.
xoxo
Cathy
I am a huge baseball fan and to make one of these from my favorite team’s shirts will be sooooooo awesome!!! Love this idea!!!
I made it but the t shirt fabric almost killed my mum’s sewing machine! Oops! :S!!!!! I also made it with 2 colours which looks awesome!!
I have lost 70lbs and I have some shirts that are way too big on me. This is a great way to recycle them to wear while I continue to lose another 70. Thanks!
Hi Amy,
Way to go!!! Congratulations! Keep going, you can do it!!!
xoxo
Cathy
What stitch did you use on the seam of the skirt? It worked with the fabric very nicely. I’m having mad issues working with knits LOL
Hi Melissa,
I used a zig zag stitch but not the normal zig zag, I used the one that has multiple stitches. So instead of one stitch per zig and one per zag it’s 2-3 stitches per. It helps to keep the knits from pulling.
I hope that makes sense. Good luck!
xoxo
Cathy
I used to do this for my DD when she was small. I hate to gather, so I pinned the skirt on at regular intervals – halves, halves again, halves again, etc. When sewing on the skirt, with the skirt on top, as I reached each pin, I would fold the loose fabric towards me just before pulling out the pin and sewing it down. This is an easy way to make pleats..
Lovely! Thanks so much for posting how to do this. I won an oversized tee at an event and am going to make this to wear the shirt to the same event next time! I also used another tutorial (also found online) to tailor the top of the tee, now I am adding the skirt. I’m with Mary in FL, I am making pleats instead of ruffles, partly because I’m using a regular cotton fabric instead of t-shirt material.
Thanks Janny226!
I love the idea of using a regular cotton fabric with pleats! I will look great!
xoxo
Cathy